UFC welterweight champion Islam Makhachev has indicated that his next Octagon appearance could be one of the last of his career. The two-division titleholder, who holds the record for most lightweight title defenses, took to social media on Friday to call out the winner of the interim welterweight championship bout between Carlos Prates and Michael Morales at UFC 336 in Toronto on January 30.
"My next fight is one of the last in my career," Makhachev wrote. "They say Prates is too dangerous for me and Morales is too good for me. So I want to face the best of them and prove to the world once again who is the best in the world."
Interim Title Decision Sparks Debate
The promotion's decision to create an interim title has drawn scrutiny. UFC CEO Dana White revealed that the organization originally planned for Makhachev to defend his belt at UFC 336 but pivoted to an interim fight because the champion wanted to wait until after Ramadan. Makhachev last competed in August and could realistically return in the spring, raising questions about the necessity of an interim belt when the champion is not sidelined for an extended period. By contrast, the light heavyweight division has not seen an interim title despite champion Carlos Ulberg tearing his ACL in April.
Makhachev, who celebrated his 35th birthday in October, is competing beyond the timeline suggested by his mentor, Khabib Nurmagomedov. Nurmagomedov has publicly warned fighters about clinging to glory past age 35. Makhachev will likely be closer to 36 when he next steps into the cage.
